Maybe my attitude to Checkatrade has rubbed off on my players, says Blades boss Chris Wilder

Sheffield United, meanwhile, are already out and face perhaps one of the most pointless Cup ties of all time when travelling to Grimsby Town, who are unable to qualify.

Despite the contrasting fortunes of the Yorkshire duo, however, a common theme tonight will be multiple changes due to both managers, Chris Wilder and Stuart McCall, having an eye on the weekend return to League One action.

“People know my view about the competition and we are going to make changes as we have a massive game at Chesterfield coming up,” said Wilder, who launched a scathing attack on the competition in last month’s The Yorkshire Post, about the trip to Blundell Park.

“I said it a month ago and will say it again – I think three competitions are enough for any professional. Forty-six games is a hard enough slog, another two (cup) competitions on that is enough.

“I have been consistent and said that last year with my previous club (Northampton). Maybe my attitude has rubbed off on to our players, so it has been a little bit difficult for the ones in the competition. But there you go. We will get through Grimsby and go again.”

Bradford will also be ringing the changes tonight at Morecambe, who need a two-goal winning margin to overtake McCall’s side in the Group C table.

James Meredith is back from injury, while Rouven Sattelmaier makes only his second start in goal.

Defender James King is set for his senior debut, and second year apprentice Tom Windle is in line for his first start.

Assistant manager Kenny Black insists the line-up will comply with the Trophy rules, which state five of the XI must have either started the last game or be among the 11 players boasting the most appearances this season.

“The bottom line is this is a competitive fixture and we can get to Wembley,” added Black, who was in the dugout when City substituted Colin Doyle with Sattelmaier just three minutes into last month’s Trophy tie with Bury to ensure the starting XI had the requisite number of senior players.

“To finish top and be at home in the next round has to be the target. The bottom line, though, is we want to go and win the game at Morecambe.”